Prince Harry says he and his wife, Meghan Markle, were "forced" to depart from the royal family and relocate to the United States in 2020.

This revelation comes as part of a three-day hearing in London, where Prince Harry's lawyers presented a statement on his behalf. The royal is challenging a Home Office decision to remove his publicly-funded protection.

The Duke of Sussex, who did not appear in court, emphasized that security concerns for his family played a pivotal role in their decision to step back from royal duties and leave the United Kingdom three years ago.

"It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020," Prince Harry wrote in the statement, according to ITV.

He underlined the significance of the U.K. as his home and a central part of his children's heritage.

"The U.K. is my home. The U.K. is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the United States," said Prince Harry, who shares 4-year-old Prince Archie and 2-year-old Princess Lilibet with Markle. "That cannot happen if it is not possible to keep them safe when they are on U.K. soil."

He continued, "I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm's way too."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nottingham Academy on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Andy Stenning - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The legal dispute revolves around the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures' decision in 2020 to remove Prince Harry's automatic right to U.K. police security.

Despite offering to cover the costs of private security himself, the duke's proposal was rejected.

Prince Harry's legal team argued that his family's safety is compromised without security during their visits to his home country.

The royal claimed in a petition last year that his family "has been subjected to well-documented neo-Nazi and extremist threats."

In a statement obtained by People this week, the Duke of Sussex's attorneys highlighted the need for consideration of the potential impact of an attack on Prince Harry, given his status and profile within the royal family.

They emphasized that security decisions should account for the U.K.'s reputation in case of an incident involving the claimant.

The Home Office countered, stating that security decisions should be case-specific, considering Prince Harry is no longer a working royal and now lives abroad with his family, according to People.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The Duke of Duchess of Sussex arrive for the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen on June 3, 2022 in London, England. Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images

According to Page Six, Prince Harry reportedly said in January 2020 that he had "no other option" but to step back from his royal duties.

"The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges," he said at a London event at the time. "And I know I haven't always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option."

The ongoing hearing is expected to determine the outcome of Prince Harry's security case at a later date.

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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle